Thursday, 31 December 2015

2015 was a very good year for
us. We are very fortunate to have enjoyed good health, and the year has been
characterised by fellowship with family and friends. It was a year in which as I
tried to get to grips with retirement, Tim slipped from retirement into
semi-retirement, and ended the year almost working full time. We weren’t able to
spend as much time in Le Petit-Pressigny as we thought we might, but the
compensation was that we were able to travel.

Time spent with family and
friends has been very important. We didn’t dream that we could have made good
friends in France in such a short time. If ever there is a problem someone has
the answer and is prepared to help out with tools, advice or just a listening
ear. Friends have also been very generous with their hospitality. Just a selection of the photographs we've taken this year of friends or their cakes!!.

Our travels took us first to
Switzerland, with our very good friends Stephen and Anne. They were at
Loughborough University with Tim in the 1970’s and we have been firm friends
ever since - best men, godparents to each others children, holiday companions
both in summer and winter for most of the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s. We
almost (but not quite) persuaded them to buy a house in Charnizay!

The weather in Switzerland
was fantastic, especially if you want to ski! We had a mix of heavy snow falls
and bright sunny days. I am a fair weather skier, and to ski at my best (which
isn’t actually very good) require gentle slopes, perfect snow conditions and the
kind of light which highlights every imperfection in the snow!! However, I feel
that I come alive in the mountains.Tim turned 60 in March. This
was followed by just over a month in Japan, which was amazing. It was good to
spend time with Tom and experience Japanese life. The scenery was wonderful,
with so much to see. We were there in March/April for cherry blossom which was just as wonderful as the guide books show. Our favourite hotels were the traditional
Japanese Ryokans.

Rhiannon went back to
university to study social work, graduated in July and is now a qualified social
worker. She works very hard in a demanding job, but is making a
difference.In August Tom came back from
his two year stint teaching English in Japan to return to university.

Tim visited Shanghai as part
of his work, but his visit coincided with a week of almost torrential
rain.Torrential rain has been very
much a part of the UK weather this year. We are fortunate not to have been
affected, but so many people have had their lives and homes devastated by floods,
many of which could have been avoided. Our hearts go out to them as they try to
restore some semblance of normality.Christmas was lovely, and, as
we look forward to 2016, I’ll quote from Rhiannon…

“ For the first time in quite
a few years (so long none of us can remember when it last was!!) We've spent a
magical Christmas all together as 'The Brotherhoods' in our family home, with a
couple of added extras!! We have eaten, drunk, laughed, and been truly spoilt
with both gifts and love. I can't think of a more fitting way to celebrate my
last as Miss RhiBro. Who knows where 'The Dales' will end up in 2016; but I am
so excited to find out!!”

So there we have it. So much to look forward to. For us 2016 will herald a wedding, another
graduation, and my 60th birthday. However, I also hope it brings with it much
happiness, good health and peace for you all.

The New Year is the time of
unfolding horizons and the realisation of dreams, may you be able to enjoy the
simple pleasures that life has to offer and face the challenges that may come
your way. I hope that in 2016 we can also remember, and, do what we can, to help
those people with lives that have been torn apart by conflict or natural
disaster, and are needing sanctuary or a share of some of the wonderful things
we take for granted.

Monday, 21 December 2015

A couple of weeks ago we used a windfall (procured on my behalf by my wonderful daughter!) of Tesco club card vouchers to buy an annual pass into Trentham Gardens. I regularly go to the garden centre and shopping village so it makes sense to combine a trip with a walk around the lake (which takes about 40 minutes of brisk walking) and a browse through the Italian Gardens.

We've been three times in the past couple of weeks and usually treat ourselves to a cup of tea and a scone afterwards. Unfortunately I'm not certain that the walk is a sufficient energy trade for the scone (on an energy in v energy out basis), although I suppose we could always walk around the lake more than once!!

The lake and Italian gardens

An otter carving on a diseased tree

We love the detail on the eye

The Italian Gardens aren't looking at their best at this time of the year, but I shall post some photographs later in the year.

Wirework fairy

Intricate wirework dandelions

The wonderful metal sculptures were created by Robin Wright and his daughter, Amy.

Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was employed to create the gardens and the mile long lake between 1759 and 1780, and 2016 will celebrate the tercentenary of his birth.

Thursday, 10 December 2015

My inactivity on Blogger over recent weeks and months could indicate one of two things; either that I have nothing interesting to write about (since when has that ever stopped me!) or that I am so busy that there isn't time to write!

In reality it is a 'Bob' or a bit of both. Also, the immediacy of Facebook means that I can keep up to date via my telephone or tablet in a way that is difficult to achieve via the Blogger app on my iPad.

This week we've been in Cranfield and London. More about London later, but first check out some of the decor in our hotel near Cranfield...

About Me

I am originally from the Welsh valleys, but have lived in Staffordshire since 1979, when I first started teaching. I retired a couple of years ago, but finding my new place in the world is a bit of a challenge! I miss the daily contact with young people and still enjoy the days when I am invited back to do some supply teaching.
Once a teacher...
I divide my time between the UK and the small village of Le Petit-Pressigny in the Touraine Sud area of France. Currently we are trying to discover the right balance of time spent in the UK, France or travelling to new places.
One day ....
I am married to Tim, and have two children but I have 'empty nest' syndrome.
As a possible antidote I occasionally blog!